Seattle Denied Benefits Lawyers

You were injured on the job and filed a workers’ compensation claim for the benefits you need to support yourself and your family while you recover. However, the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) denied your claim, and you aren’t sure what your options are. 

The compassionate workers’ compensation attorneys at Walthew Law Firm have over 90 years of experience navigating workers’ comp claims. They understand the system and know how to get results.

Common Reasons Workers’ Compensation Claims Are Denied

There are many reasons why L&I might deny your workers’ comp claim. Some of the more common ones include:

• Missed deadlines. You must file your initial workers’ comp claim within one year of the injury.
• Lack of medical evidence. No matter how many medical records you submit as evidence, if they don’t demonstrate that your workplace accident caused your injury, your claim may be denied.
• Incomplete or missing paperwork. Medical records aren’t enough. There are many forms that must be filled out completely and returned to L&I. Missing even one checkbox could result in denied benefits.
• Disputing the cause. Your employer may push back and claim what happened isn’t a workplace injury.
• Preexisting conditions. If you have a preexisting condition (like a herniated disc), L&I or your employer may argue that your injury isn’t work-related.
• Noncompliance. When you file a workers’ comp claim, you must follow L&I rules, like submitting all the required paperwork or participating in an Independent Medical Exam (IME). Refusing to follow the rules will likely result in denied benefits.

How the Appeals Process Works

While appealing your denial seems simple, it can be relatively complex, and an experienced, knowledgeable attorney can navigate the workers’ compensation system on your behalf to get the benefits you’re entitled to.

After your claim is denied, you have 60 days to file a written protest with your claim manager; otherwise, the denial can’t be reversed. While it’s common for protests to succeed, if it doesn’t, you’ll have to file a formal appeal, which could include:

• Mediation
• Hearing with the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals (BIIA)
• Final appeal to Washington State Superior Court